International Albariño Day

Albariño emerged as a variety when the Rías Baixas DO in Spain was established in 1986. This led to Albariño wines being ‘crafted’ to produce clean, rich, ripe fruit flavours for European and American palates that were completely different from those produced in neighbouring Portugal. Albariño is now produced in several regions of California.

To celebrate International Albariño day we have selected three wines from Familia Torres, who produce wines from this varietal in both Spain and California.

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Torres Founded in 1870, Familia Torres have a reputation for combining innovation, dynamism and a commitment to quality which has established them as one world’s leading premium wine producers. Today they remain a wholly independent and family-owned company which is run by 5th generation Miguel Torres.

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Pazo das Bruxas
2022

In Spanish folklore it is said that Galician witches conjured up spirits through magic and dance in “pazos,” (old country houses), which were surrounded by the local forests and vineyards. In doing so they awoke the sap – the lifeblood that coursed through the vines, filling them with vitality to produce the Albariño grapes that give birth to this wine.

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Marimar Estate Albariño 2020

This wine is produced from the traditional Galician variety, in North-West Spain, from which Marimar Torres grafted the budwood onto her own vines in the slightly warmer Russian River Valley estate. Intense, classic aromas of citrus, lime and white peach, with floral overtones of honeysuckle and a minerality.  Fresh and lively, with bright acidity that follows through with an elegant, crip finish.

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Paxo Torre Penelas Granito 2019

Pazo Torre Penelas, with its tower, chapel, raised granary (hórreo) and  beautifully trellised vineyards is one of the oldest estates in the Valle del Salnés. The wine is made 100% from estate-grown grapes and ferments on its lees for eight months in egg-shaped granite vats. These unique vessels heighten the briny expression of the Albariño while simultaneously forging a  connection to the vinification techniques of the Roman period, a time when granite wine presses were already in use in this area.